Prop 64 is a sign that the California cannabis community is growing up.

Understanding Prop 64 means looking back two decades when voters passed the Compassionate Use Act in 1996. Long before Colorado, Oregon and Washington had any type of cannabis legislation, California created their own home-grown medical marijuana program, and voters approved the initiative. With no roadmap or support, the CUA contained minimal regulation and made obtaining a doctor’s recommendation almost too easy. The result is a medical marijuana market that outpaces every other state, and has many of the hallmarks of a recreational market.

The downside of this open program means there are legal grey areas, some of which have been exploited by law enforcement. Legislatively, the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act (MMRSA) has tried to patch the loopholes and provide clarity, but even the AUMA is addressing some of the missteps made by the MMRSA last fall. For those interested in a tightly controlled medical marijuana program, California serves as cautionary tale.

But it can also predict what recreational marijuana will look like if the AUMA passes: a state that has a medical marijuana program so open that it supports a recreational market will now have legitimacy under the law.

By all accounts, Prop 64 is expected to pass. The initiative has huge support from donors and has been endorsed by the Lieutenant Governor of California, the California Democratic Party and a variety of organizations not affiliated with cannabis (and plenty that are). The usual opponents have shown themselves, which are mainly law enforcement and conservative groups. Some information has surfaced indicating big alcohol and big pharma oppose legalizing cannabis. Tobacco companies have both lobbied against legalization and tried to join the cannabis industry. Opposition has also come from those within the industry who want California’s medical marijuana program to stay exactly the same, which is impossible.

Overall, it’s great for patients and cannabis users. It’s complicated for those working in California’s cannabis industry (so much so that I’ll detail it in other posts). Here’s what it means for you.

What it means for patients

The AUMA preserves the rights and allowances made by the original Compassionate Use Act. When it comes time to renew your medical marijuana recommendation, you may face more scrutiny thanks to SB 643 that passed in October 2015, which threatens doctors who over prescribe medical marijuana with penalties through the state’s medical board. You may also notice separate pricing for medical patients, which will be less than recreational pricing.

What it means for recreational users

This depends on how you acquire cannabis. If you have a medical recommendation but don’t have a condition that falls under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you might have trouble renewing your recommendation in 2018 when a lot of the legislation would go into effect. The ADA covers a wide range of conditions and disabilities, but things like “my foot hurts” may no longer earn you a medical recommendation in California.

If you’re growing your own, you’ll be limited to six plants. If you’re acquiring it elsewhere, you’ll face these penalties.

Proponents have claimed that legalizing cannabis in California will put a dent in the black market. At one point, the organizers of the AUMA stated,

“A regulated system of responsible adult use will diminish the black market, and move marijuana purchases into a legal structure with strict safeguards protecting children.”

I believe it’s irresponsible to make this claim, especially if you have even a cursory understanding of how capitalism works. With a 15% tax on recreational sales, black market customers may continue with their current arrangement.

What it means for everyone else

If you are not currently a medical cannabis patient in California, or are not part of the recreational cannabis culture, you may not notice a thing as recreational use currently exists in practice. You may notice friends and colleagues acknowledging their cannabis use more openly. If demand is strong, you may notice more dispensaries opening.

What it means for the drug war

The authors of the AUMA are attempting to compensate for the damage that cannabis prohibition has caused. First, no person under the age of 18 can be charged with possession. Instead, they will be fined no more than $100 and receive drug counseling. However, the penalty for selling cannabis to a minor are severe, and law enforcement will be allowed to use undercover personnel to entrap those suspected of selling to minors.

For those already convicted of drug crimes, the AUMA provides resentencing guidelines that can remove prior convictions, shorten sentences or end them all together. For information on the specifics, this link contains the section of the AUMA that describes resentencing. While this can’t undo the damage the drug war has caused to victims and families, it’s a step in the right direction.

What do you think of the AUMA? Let me know in the comments, or send a tweet to @the_LAlady

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I received a couple of notes via social media that questioned my cannabis activism based on my anonymity. So here’s my take.

People who work in the cannabis industry must face some realities that those in other trades never experience. The most common reality is the idea that every time you do your job, there is a strong possibility that you’re breaking federal law.

Many Cannabis people are afraid to speak the truth because they’re breaking federal laws and don’t want the heat. I have no such concerns.

While the public might see marijuana as a legal grey area, the fact still stands that the Justice Department has made it clear that it will prosecute marijuana cases as it sees fit.

Activism is a choice, but a different choice for everyone. A great example of this outside the context of cannabis is this: Kim Kardashian posted a naked selfie and provided commentary about her choice to do so. She cited her pride in her body and encouraged all women to take pride in their body, “Whatever the case may be I’m grateful to God for this miracle & no matter what rumors or comments you throw my way this time they truly don’t affect me!” she said on Instagram.

A teacher in South Carolina lost her job after a student stole her phone and distributed her naked selfies, which were intended for private use. This teacher didn’t post the photos anywhere on social media. While school officials tried to make it sound like she was fired for not doing her job, I would wager she would not have lost her job had they been photos of her playing tennis.

Two women. Two nude images. Vastly different consequences. Kim Kardashian keeps her job (whatever that may be) and a woman who was a victim of hacking is fired from her job. Kim has a fortune that can protect her from the consequences of her choices so they “truly don’t affect” her, while the teacher in South Carolina may have trouble making ends meet as a result of a thoughtless 16-year-old.

While this may seem like commentary on feminism*, it illustrates how two people can experience vastly different consequences from the same choice. An owner of a cannabis company may be able to go on CNN and talk about their product, or even buy the naming rights to a stadium, but that person probably has legal counsel on standby should the Justice Department decide to poke around. A part-time cannabis blogger will undoubtedly struggle far more against federal prosecution.

Personally, The LA Lady is a way for me to protect myself and my family. Most of us have other jobs, families, friends and colleagues that could be affected, should the federal government decide that writing about cannabis, or using medical marijuana, harms the public. Protecting myself doesn’t mean I’m less of an activist for taking into consideration my livelihood and the well-being of those around me, nor does it mean that those who publicly display their cannabis use are reckless. It means we all have different lives with different responsibilities. Shaming people who are afraid of the consequences will not aid your cause, but rather alienate your quieter allies.

*It’s almost an argument about class. Kim has millions of dollars to insulate her from whatever idiotic thing she decides to do. The teacher privately celebrates her body and loses her job. She doesn’t have millions of dollars to fight wrongful termination. In suggesting that women should celebrate their bodies, Kim is shaming those who don’t have the freedom to post nude selfies by not acknowledging her incredible privilege. She isn’t shy about flaunting her wealth and privilege and is a poor representation of feminism.

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What’s up, Internet Universe? The LA Lady has been out trying new products and writing about cannabis. The more I write about cannabis culture, the more I realize that it’s going to take a while before we end prohibition, but it’s going to take even longer to remove the stigma of cannabis from the nation’s conscious. I posted a bunch of pics on Instagram of anti-marijuana propaganda for 4/20. It seems like we haven’t evolved much since the early 1900’s in terms of scare tactics, even though cannabis legislation continues to move forward.

A photo posted by The LA Lady (@thelalady) on Apr 20, 2016 at 4:16pm PDT

What I’ve been writing

While Lori Ajax seems like a capable government worker, she is rather clueless about marijuana. Her background in regulating alcohol is notable. But California voters and doctors have already established cannabis as a medicine. Her experience comes from policing a substance with no medicinal value, so we’ll see if she has what it takes to regulate marijuana.

The downside of heavily taxed and regulated medical marijuana is expensive medical marijuana. States like New York whose medical marijuana prices are far above street values means patients can’t get what they need. And since New York’s program is quite stringent, it means patients with debilitating conditions like HIV/AIDS, cancer and multiple sclerosis are having to pay hundreds of dollars for their medicine, which can lead to patients seeking out black market sources or prescription painkillers, the latter of which is part of a major epidemic.

California voters have another opportunity to legalize recreational marijuana. The Adult Use of Marijuana Act would allow Californians ages 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and up to six plants. Because this ballot measure is so well-funded, so publicly visible and has had a ton of input from state legislators, physicians and public health experts, it would be astonishing if it didn’t pass. The downside means smaller cannabis business will have a harder time getting off the ground due to heavy regulation and taxes. I’m hoping that there will be enough space in the market for smaller companies committed to making great products, as opposed to larger companies committed to making money for their shareholders.

Product of the month: Jambo THC Potion!

Tinctures continue to improve in potency and this sublingual/oral spray contains enough peppermint oil that I consider it a discrete breath spray as well as a potent medical marijuana product. Each spray contains about 3mg of THC, so you can get a fairly precise dose depending on your needs. It also comes in a CBD version, which is already on my shopping list.

I got this product from Greenly, which is a great Los Angeles dispensary.

Reviews: AbsoluteXtracts Honey Straws: These are fantastic and so versatile. I think you’re going to be seeing more honey straws, if for no other reason than honey acts as a great substrate for those looking to incorporate a cannabis edible into another food, like toast or tea.

Reviews: Care By Design’s 1:1 CBD sublingual spray: I got a few twitter DM’s and emails about this, since I suggested it could be swapped out for acetaminophen or ibuprofen from time to time. Well, for me, it can. Leave a message in the comments if you feel strongly about this!

Reviews: AbsoluteXtracts Vape Cartridge in Blue Jay Way: For patients looking to medicate, a vape cartridge is such a simple, easy way to get your meds with very little fuss. As much as I love the social ritual of rolling a joint, passing a pipe or grinding up plant material, it’s not ideal when your IBS is acting up or you have a 4-alarm migraine on its way.

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The marijuana industry is still in its infancy, but that hasn’t stopped ambitious entrepreneurs from developing new ways to consume marijuana. In general, products are much more potent than they were even a few years ago, and it’s partially due to the advent of cannabis concentrates. Connoisseurs will be familiar with cannabis concentrates like wax, shatter, budder, crumble and oil, but vape cartridges containing some of these concentrates are appealing to new users for their convenience and ease of use.

It’s not surprising at all. The devices used to consume concentrates can be hundreds of dollars, and people new to cannabis aren’t likely to make such an investment on a whim. So when a bud tender presents a disposable marijuana e-cigarette for under $20 to a brand new cannabis consumer, it will appeal far more than a $50 for a customer interested in vaping extracts.

The problem with some of these cheaper vape products is the additive known as PEG, or polyethylene glycol. As one scientist quoted to me when I asked for a laymen’s summary, “it’s great for getting stuff in and out of other stuff.” It has many industrial applications, but its FDA-approved use in medical applications is how vape cartridge manufacturers justify its presence in their products.

In a cartridge, PEG helps make marijuana extracts more viscous, allowing for better vaporization. This especially benefits disposable e-cig products that have a weak power source. It can be found in inhalers, laxatives, eyedrops and in pills for slowing the rate of absorption, giving the pill a time-release effect.

So what do these applications, and the FDA’s assessment of PEG, have in common? None of them involve the heating of PEG to temperatures much higher than the human body’s core temperature.

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First, I’d like to mention that I’m grateful to be able to view this film on demand, in my own home. And if you think I had a few tokes while I watched this, you’d be correct.

Judging from the trailer, I assumed Rolling Papers would be a summary of Colorado’s marijuana from well-covered angles, without delving too deeply.

I was partially correct. This film is great for someone who knows little about Colorado’s legal marijuana scene and wants a top-sheet of the status quo. It doesn’t contain any lengthy insight on federal legalization or the intricacies of marijuana-based businesses. Those topics could be films on their own. The creators went for broad appeal, as marijuana culture still resides within counter-culture and is mysterious to the masses. In that way, this film serves as the first snapshot for future documentaries about marijuana reform in America¹.

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“People who break the law are bad.”

This is perhaps the lesson children learn immediately after learning about the concept of laws. Like so many other ideas, the dichotomy of right and wrong or good and bad lend themselves to “legal and illegal.” The human race loves contrast, and why wouldn’t we? Dualities are easy. It’s a simple way to classify our entire world. We can label something as one or the other and get on with our lives, filing away whatever judgement we’ve made for a later date. We even identify ourselves by these dichotomies. Male or Female? Republican or Democrat? Vanilla or Chocolate?

Grey areas are difficult. They’re messy and confusing, and we have a difficult time dealing with them. In the absence of dichotomies, we create complex “if-then” scenarios. Each of those are still a dichotomy but function as a whole. They create circumstance and allow us to make individual choices. They also allow us to reevaluate or revise our judgements.

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Hello, folks. It’s been a very long time since my previous post. For anyone who previously followed my blog: this post is for you, and I ask that you give it a chance.

In addition to some new topics, I’m going to be writing about a drastically different subject matter: medical marijuana. I’ve already been doing so over at Whaxy.com and it’s been a fulfilling experience. Some of you are going to read this and not want to read about stoners. You may dislike the idea of reading about degenerate drug addicts. You may think I’m a bad person for using such a substance, regardless of the health benefits and the vast improvement in my quality of life. If so, you are misinformed.

But not to fear: many people are misinformed about cannabis. Marijuana has a complex social stigma. What I’ve found is that people don’t necessarily dislike marijuana; they dislike the people who use marijuana. Visions of hippies, draft dodgers, drug dealers and degenerates are often paired with marijuana use, but that vision is changing. For medical marijuana patients today, the vision could be anything: young people, old people, rich people, poor people, any race, any religion and so on: the face of marijuana is changing and it can look like anyone. Including me.

My writing is going to focus on marijuana as medication. It’s a complex plant that includes substances beyond THC. In fact, the “high” (while enjoyable) is secondary for me. My perspective as a user who does not smoke anything will be different than your typical long-time marijuana enthusiast.

If you’ve read this and would love nothing more than to strike my blog from your internet history, be my guest. My sincerest hope is that readers can reconsider medical marijuana objectively, without clinging to cultural history or political predispositions. If that’s outside the realm of possibility for you, then this is where I leave you, and I wish you well.

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When Mr. Los Angeles told me he wanted to start getting into the credit card points “game,” I was a little annoyed. It sounded like a lot of work trying to figure out which card to use when and for which purchases. At the time, I had my one solitary Visa that I used for everything. The fact that it had a points program (and and not a very good one, as it turns out) meant nothing to me. And then to redeem those points seemed even more daunting. Honestly, I don’t have the patience for that kind of minutia.

Honestly, when you look at how my time is spent, there’s not a ton of time left over to become a credit card Points Pirate:

30% working in an office

30% beauty sleep

20% being awesome (blogging is included in this category)

10% figuring out what I want on my breakfast burrito

5% laundry

5% FREE TIME.

There are plenty of people who have made credit cards points a hobby, even going so far as to bend or violate the rules of the credit card terms, usually at their own peril. Sometimes they’ll sign up for the hefty point bonus and then get rid of the card, known as “card churning.” This might work a few times but banks are hip to this scheme and are cracking down. Everyone wants something for nothing, I suppose, and initially that seemed like what I’d be getting into.

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Traveling puts you outside of your normal routine, which for me has meant struggling with breakouts and stressed skin on the road. My instinct is to bring my entire medicine cabinet with me “just in case” and at times I’ve needed it.

Instead of spending a fortune on new skincare and makeup products, I’ve simplified my routine and made it travel-friendly as a bonus. I’ve put together a list of what’s in my cosmetic bag, as well as a list of some of my favorites that are staying home…